HaysMed News

Hays, Kansas –Leslie Engel, BSN, RN-WCC and Michelle Weigel LPN CHT WCC successfully passed the national board certification exam in wound care. The certification is awarded by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy. The certification certifies that the recipients have completed coursework in evidence-based, wound care management and treatment strategies based on national standards.

Engle works as a case manager in the wound center, directing and managing care of the patients alongside the providers. Weigel is a certified hyperbaric technician. Both have been HaysMed Associates for 8 years.

Hays, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, has expanded services to their cardiac program recently. Drs. Rhea Pimentel and Madhu Reddy have been seeing patients for several months at the Debakey Heart Institute. Both physicians are electrophysiologists, cardiologists who specialize in the electrical functions of the heart.

“Our affiliation with The University of Kansas Health System has made it possible to bring these much needed services available locally,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “We were able to make arrangements for these physicians to come to Hays on a regular basis to see patients in our heart clinic. The addition of the two electrophysiologists will help strengthen the cardiac services available at HaysMed.”

Dr. Pimentel graduated completed medical school at Northwestern University. She did here residency at the University Hospital of Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University and a fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine.

Dr. Reddy completed medical school at the Armed Forces medical College and did a residency and fellowship at Creighton University and a fellowship at The University of Kansas Medical Center.

While cardiologists typically evaluate and treat patients with heart-related symptoms, including a fast or slow heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness and other symptoms, electrophysiologists deal with the diagnosis and management of irregular heart rhythm. In most cases, when a cardiologist suspects a patient has an arrhythmia, they refer that patient to an electrophysiologist for further care.

Arrhythmia is a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm, whether that is too fast, too slow or erratically. When the heart is unable to beat properly, it can affect blood flow, which can cause damage to or even shut down the brain, lungs and other organs. Some arrhythmias are harmless, but others can be life-threatening.

One of the most common arrhythmias that electrophysiologists treat is atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib. AFib occurs when the heart’s upper chambers—the atria—contract irregularly. AFib is the most common type of heart arrhythmia in the U.S., and it is a leading cause of blood clots that can result in a deadly stroke.

The number of people with arrhythmias is increasing and as the population ages, that number will continue to go up.

“We are excited to be able to help patients in this region with their electrophysiology needs so they can have the convenience of receiving this type of care closer to home.” Said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, Cardiologist and Administrative Director of the DeBakey Heart Clinic.

“We’re fortunate that being part of the system has given us the opportunity to have access to additional cardiologists to focus on our patients with heart rhythm problems. Any time we can partner and offer additional services for our patients it is a win-win situation. It is definitely a benefit of being part of The University of Kansas Health System”

Stephenson graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center with a doctorate in audiology.

“We are very happy to be able to add audiology services to our ENT clinic.” Said Jay Moore, Executive Director of Clinics. “The clinic has been very successful and we are always pleased when we can expand and provide a much needed service to our patients.”

Schenk-Pitts completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also her Master of Science in Nursing at Fort Hays State University. She specialized in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration.

“We are pleased to have Schenk-Pitts join the ENT staff.” Said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer at HaysMed. “This will allow us to see more patients on a regular basis in the clinic.”

The ENT clinic is accepting new patients. Please call 785-650-2880 or go to haysmed.com/ent

“We are excited to have Dr. Seshadri join the cardiology team,” said Dr. Jeffery Curtis, cardiologist and Administrative Director of Cardiology. “His skills and expertise will allow us to build upon the specialized services we currently offer patients.”

In addition to general cardiology services Dr. Seshadri will be providing procedures including pacemaker implants, radial heart cathertizations done through the wrist, will be active in the vein clinic as well as the evaluation and treatment of peripheral artery blockage disease.

“Dr. Seshadri has worked with us at HaysMed for the past year,” added Curtis. “He is an excellent and experienced interventional cardiologist, and we are excited to have him join us on a more permanent basis.”

Hays, Kansas – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has recognized HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Cardiac Care as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated providers that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA),[1] cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is expected to claim more than 23.6 million lives annually by 2030. Blue Distinction Centers+ for Cardiac Care seek to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to find quality cardiac care.

Only those hospitals that first meet nationally established quality measures for Blue Distinction Centers are considered for designation as a Blue Distinction Center+.

“HaysMed has always been committed to providing cardiology services to people in western Kansas.” said Jeff Curtis, Cardiology and Administrative Director of HaysMed Debakey Heart. “Twenty years ago we were the first and are still the only cardiology program in western Kansas to provide cardiology services including heart surgery. This Distinction is recognition for the commitment we have made to making cardiology services available to all patients.”

Hospitals recognized with this designation are assessed using a combination of quality information supplied by hospitals and third party data registries, and cost measures derived from Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies’ medical claims.

For more than 75 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.

All trademarks listed above are the property of their respective owners and used for identification purposes only, and are in no way associated or affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Use of these trademarks does not imply endorsement.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health of America Report® series and the national BCBS Health IndexSM. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.

About Blue Distinction Centers

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for providers located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each provider’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Providers in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

Hays, KS– Lyle M. Harrison, MD, has joined medical staff of HaysMed at the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System. Harrison has been seeing patients on a part time basis and has moved to full time status.

Dr. Harrison completed medical school and a residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine, in Salt Lake.

He joins the cancer team of Anthony Accurso, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist, Babu Prasad, MD, Radiation Oncologist and Robert Rodriguez, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist.

Dr. Harrison is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment please call 785-623-5774.

“We are always pleased to add additional providers to our cardiac team,” said Bryce Young, Chief Operating Officer. “The need for heart care in western Kansas remains steady and we are committed to having the specialty services available locally.”

Dr. Crawley graudated from medical school at The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita and a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville. She is board certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.

Homolka completed a bachelor of science in nursing at Chamberlain College of Nursing, Arlington, and a master of science in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her area of focus is cardiovascular care.

“We are committed to caring for the cardiology needs of patients in western Kansas,” said Shae Veach, Vice President for Regional Operations. “As part of the region’s premier academic health system, we will continue to offer access to specialists and resources to ensure the continued good health of the communities we serve.”

For more information call 785-623-6544 or go to haysmed.com/debakeyheart

HAYS, Kansas – Two registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon. They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System.

The program began a year ago in February 2018 and the nurses spent the first 3 weeks in a classroom setting. The remainder of training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency Program at HaysMed is one of only two in the state and has been offered since 2008. Shari Hertel, RN heads the program and has oversight of all the training. HaysMed also works closely with critical access hospitals in the region through a rural residency program to provide training to nurses practicing in the rural setting.

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Hertel. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are 5 nurses scheduled in the next program which begins February 5. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

HAYS, Kansas – HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System will offer a pediatric orthopedic and spine clinic on January 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. The clinic will be held at the Orthopedic Clinic, 2500 Canterbury, Hays, Kansas.

The clinic focuses on congenital orthopedic programs in pediatrics such as scoliosis, clubfoot, hip disorders (dysplasia), flat feet, toe walking, in toeing bowlegs (knock knees) and other spinal deformities often seen in children.

Rebecca Green, PA-C, under the supervision of Dr. Max DeCarvalho, orthopedic surgeon, will be evaluating and treating the patients at the clinic.

Congenital spine deformities are disorders of the spine that develop in a child before birth. Vertebrae don’t form properly very early in fetal development, causing structural problems in the spine and spinal cord. The problems can range from mild to severe and may cause other problems if left untreated.

You can schedule an appointment by calling 866-428-8221 or 785-261-7599. No physician referral is required unless it is required by your insurance company.

( Hays, Kansas) – HaysMed cardiologist Dr. Byungsoo Ko is now using a new device to treat heart attack patients whose hearts aren’t strong enough to sustain traditional open heart surgery. The Impella, which is the world’s smallest heart pump, allows cardiologists to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (opening up the blockage in the heart arteries with stents) in patients whose heart function is not strong enough to withstand heart surgery. This percutaneous (being placed without requiring any surgery) heart pump can also be used in patients with a life threatening condition called “cardiogenic shock”, meaning the patient is dying from an acute heart (“pump”) failure.

“This is the only FDA approved device that can be used in this sickest of the sick patient population with a rapidly failing heart” said Dr. Ko.

Inserted through a groin artery, the Impella pumps the blood from the heart into the aorta (the big artery that comes out of the heart) thereby helping the pumping function of the weakened heart. It can pump as much as 3.5 liters of blood per minute (more than half of how much a health heart can pump) to provide extra blood flow to important organs such as brain or kidneys to protect any irreversible damage.

“Now we have a heart pump that can be inserted within 15 minutes in cardiogenic shock patients either from a heart attack or from heart failure. Furthermore, we can use the device in patients with blockages in the heart but whose heart function is too weak to withstand an open heart surgery.” Said Ko.

Within a couple of weeks of the launch of the program, two patients have benefited from this device. Both patients had very weak hearts and were too sick to undergo surgery. With the help of the device and the expertise of the cath lab staff and anesthesia, both patients’ blockages were successfully opened with stents.

“I am very grateful to HaysMed’s commitment to provide a full cardiovascular service to people in Western Kansas.” Said Ko. “Many patients will benefit greatly from this device”